Following the partial solar eclipse this past April, a total lunar eclipse is set to light up skies this May with the coming of the Super Flower Moon 2022.
A total lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon. In the wee morning hours of May 16, not only will there be a full moon, but a supermoon – a phenomenon that arises when the moon is 7% bigger than normal, and is entirely illuminated when it reaches the point in its orbit closest to Earth.
The complete eclipse, which only occurs when the Earth’s shadow completely covers that the moon, will cause the moon to take on a deep reddish hue.
Visible from most of the Northern Hemisphere, the Super Flower Moon 2022 is so-called due to its springtime occurrence, when flowers are blooming in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Super Flower Moon 2022 eclipse will commence at 11:28 CDT, Sunday May 16, peaking around 1:15 am CDT and will conclude around 1:53 am. It will be visible from most of North America, with the best view from the Pacific Rim. According to Almanac, it will be visible from everywhere in Mountain and Pacific time zones, including Texas.
The last total lunar eclipse was the Super Flower Blood Moon occurring May 26 of last year. The supernatural event corresponded with the most illuminate moon of the year illuminating 15% brighter than usual.
For future reference, the next total lunar eclipse, and last of the year, will take place on November 8.